5 must-watch January movies: 'War Horse', 'Shame', 'W.E.', more

The Christmas crackers have been pulled, the turkey leftovers finished, but there's plenty of treats in store for movie fans as we head into 2012. Awards season is on the horizon, so our must-see January films include a quartet of very strong Oscar contenders and a King's Speech-esque movie from Madonna about the romance between King Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson.

Digital Spy previews five must-see movies for January below:

The Iron LadyRelease Date: January 6Why you should see it:Meryl Streep as Margaret Thatcher has 'Best Actress' Oscar written all over it. Though The Iron Lady isn't a drama of startling political depth or insight (well, it is from the director of Mamma Mia!), Streep delivers a towering performance that carries the film across the finish line.

War HorseRelease Date: January 13Why you should see it: Any Steven Spielberg movie is a must-see movie event, and War Horse is no exception. Based on Michael Morpurgo's novel and the National Theatre stage play, this emotional drama sees horse Joey embark on a perilous journey across the battlefields of World War I. Bring the hankies, because this one may induce tears!

ShameRelease Date: January 13Why you should see it: Michael Fassbender reteams with Hunger director Steve McQueen for this drama about a New Yorker who struggles to hide his sex addiction when his wayward sister comes to live with him. Fassbender bares all, physically and emotionally, in this bleak and harrowing portrayal of a man in an unstoppable tailspin.

W.E.Release Date: January 20Why you should see it: The Queen of Pop steps behind the camera to tell a two-tiered love story about King Edward VIII's romance with Wallis Simpson and a modern woman's affair with an auction house security guard. Madonna's directorial offering may have split critics at the Venice Film Festival last year, but we're still very eager to see what the music icon has in her filmmaking armoury.

The DescendantsRelease Date: January 27Why you should see it: George Clooney tried desperately to land the Thomas Haden Church role in Alexander Payne's Sideways, but had to wait another six years before getting the chance to work with the acclaimed indie director on this comedy drama. The Descendants sees Clooney play a land baron struggling to connect with his kids after their mother falls into a coma. Maybe, just maybe, this will nab Clooney that 'Best Actor' Oscar?

What movies are you looking forward to seeing in January? Should we have included Underworld Awakening and Haywire in this list? Leave your comments below!